Tropical tree foliage supplementation in ruminants improves rumen fermentation and the bacterial profile and decreases methane production.

The main of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of tropical tree foliage in ruminant diets on the in vitro fermentation, bacterial population, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and enteric CH4 production. Seven experimental diets were evaluated: a control treatment of Pennisetum purpureum (T7) and six treatments of P. purpureum supplemented (30%) with the foliage of Neomillspaughia emargiata (T1), Tabernaemontana amygdalifolia (T2), Caesalpinia gaumeri (T3), Piscidia piscipula (T4), Leucaena leucocephala (T5), and Havardia albicans (T6). The T2, T7, and T5 treatments had the highest (p < 0.05) digestibility of dry matter. Overall, supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the concentrations of propionic and butyric acid and decreased acetic acid. Methanogenic bacteria decreased (p < 0.05) in T1, T2, T5, and T6. Ruminococcus albus decreased in T1, T2, T3, and T5 and Selenomonas ruminiantum increased in T3. Fibrobacter succinogenes increased, except in T5. Methane production decreased (p < 0.05) in T1, T4, T5, and T6. The supplementation with Leucaena leucocephala, Tabernaemontana amygdalifolia, Neomillspaughia emargiata, Piscidia piscipula, Havardia albicans, and Caesalpinia gaumeri is a potential alternative nutritional strategy for ruminants that results in positive changes in VFAs profile, a decrease on CH4 production and methanogenic bacteria, and changes on fibrolytic and non-fibrolytic bacteria composition.HIGHLIGHTSTropical tree foliage supplementation increased propionic and butyric acid and decreased acetic acid concentrations.Fibrolytic, non-fibrolytic, and Methanogenic bacteria were selectively modulated with the supplementation of tropical tree foliage.The enteric methane (CH4) production decreased with the supplementation of tree foliage.The supplementation of Tabernaemontana amygdalifolia and Leucaena leucocephala had the highest digestibility and is a potential alternative nutritional strategy for ruminants.

Integrating Philosophy of Understanding With the Cognitive Sciences.

We provide two programmatic frameworks for integrating philosophical research on understanding with complementary work in computer science, psychology, and neuroscience. First, philosophical theories of understanding have consequences about how agents should reason if they are to understand that can then be evaluated empirically by their concordance with findings in scientific studies of reasoning. Second, these studies use a multitude of explanations, and a philosophical theory of understanding is well suited to integrating these explanations in illuminating ways.

Gemelos monocigóticos con rabdomiomas cardiacos asociados a esclerosis tuberosa materna / Monozygotic twins with cardiac rhabdomyomas associated with maternal tuberous sclerosis

La esclerosis tuberosa es una enfermedad autosómica dominante que afecta cualquier órgano. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 23 años con diagnóstico de un año de evolución de esclerosis tuberosa por presencia de lesiones dermatológicas en cara, con embarazo gemelar monocorial biamniótico en donde ambos fetos cursan con rabdomiomas cardiacos. Actualmente en seguimiento con ecocardiografía fetal, por lo que se discute el control prenatal, así como los riesgos posnatales de ambos fetos. La importancia de esta revisión radica en el asesoramiento genético de la paciente y el abordaje multidisciplinario.(AU)

Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant disease affecting any organ. The case is presented on a 23 year-old patient with a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis of 1 year onset with Monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy in which both foetuses had cardiac rhabdomyomas. The patient is currently on follow-up with foetal cardiac ultrasound. A discussion is presented on the prenatal monitoring, as well as postnatal risks of both foetuses. The importance of this review lies in the genetic counselling of the patient and the multidisciplinary approach.(AU)

Síndrome de pseudo-Meigs secundario a leiomioma uterino / Pseudo-Meigs syndrome secondary to uterine leiomyoma

El síndrome de pseudo-Meigs es un cuadro caracterizado por la presencia de ascitis y derrame pleural asociados a tumores pélvicos diferentes a tumores ováricos tipo fibroma. El cuadro simula un proceso neoplásico; sin embargo es una patología benigna que se resuelve tras la extirpación de la tumoración. El síndrome de pseudo-Meigs secundario a leiomioma uterino es una asociación muy poco frecuente, existen menos de 40 casos publicados. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 28 años que acude a urgencias por ascitis y derrame pleural con elevación de Ca-125 en el contexto de síndrome pseudo-Meigs que se resolvió tras miomectomía.(AU)

Pseudo-Meigs syndrome is a condition characterised by the presence of ascites and pleural effusion associated with pelvic tumours other than fibroid-type ovarian tumours. Although the clinical picture simulates a neoplastic process, it is, however, a benign pathology that resolves after the removal of the tumour. Pseudo-Meigs syndrome secondary to uterine leiomyoma is a very rare combination, with less than 40 cases published in the literature.The case is presented of a 28 year-old woman attending the emergency department due to ascites and pleural effusion, with an elevated Ca-125 in the context of pseudo-Meigs syndrome that resolved after myomectomy.(AU)

Goltz against cerebral localization: Methodology and experimental practices.

In the late 19th century, physiologists such as David Ferrier, Eduard Hitzig, and Hermann Munk argued that cerebral brain functions are localized in discrete structures. By the early 20th century, this became the dominant position. However, another prominent physiologist, Friedrich Goltz, rejected theories of cerebral localization and argued against these physiologists until his death in 1902. I argue in this paper that previous historical accounts have failed to comprehend why Goltz rejected cerebral localization. I show that Goltz adhered to a falsificationist methodology, and I reconstruct how he designed his experiments and weighted different kinds of evidence. I then draw on the exploratory experimentation literature from recent philosophy of science to trace one root of the debate to differences in how the German localizers designed their experiments and reasoned about evidence. While Goltz designed his experiments to test hypotheses about the functions of predetermined cerebral structures, the localizers explored new functions and structures in the process of constructing new theories. I argue that the localizers relied on untested background conjectures to justify their inferences about functional organization. These background conjectures collapsed a distinction between phenomena they produced direct evidence for (localized symptoms) and what they reached conclusions about (localized functions). When citing this paper, please use the full journal title Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

Effect of tree foliage supplementation of tropical grass diet on in vitro digestibility and fermentation, microbial biomass synthesis and enteric methane production in ruminants.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of tree foliage species supplemented in ruminant diets based on Pennisetum purpureum on the in vitro digestibility and fermentation, microbial biomass synthesis and enteric methane production. Seven experimental diets were evaluated, including a control treatment based on P. purpureum (PT) grass, and six additional treatments supplemented with 30.0% foliage from Neomillspaughia emargiata (NE), Tabernaemontana amygdalifolia (TA), Caesalpinia gaumeri (CG), Piscidia piscipula (PP), Leucaena leucocephala (LL) and Havardia albicans (HA). A randomised complete block design repeated in two periods (block) was used. The highest gas production (P < 0.05) was recorded in treatments TA and PT (237 and 228 mL g-1, respectively). The highest in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) and organic matter (IVOMD) (P < 0.05) was recorded in the control treatment PT (57.9% and 66.1%, respectively). Treatments LL, NE, TA and PP promoted greater microbial biomass synthesis (290, 223, 220 and 213 mg g-1, respectively) (P < 0.05). The proportion of propionic acid also increased in these latter treatments and in treatments CG and HA (P < 0.05). Additionally, treatments LL, PP, NE and TA decreased methane production (25.8, 29.5, 30.6 and 31.8 L kg-1 of digested dry matter, respectively). In conclusion, supplementation with L. leucocephala, P. piscipula, N. emargiata and T. amygdalifolia in ruminant diets based on P. purpureum is one feed alternative that can promote greater efficiency and synthesis of microbial biomass, increase the proportions of propionic and butyric acid and decrease the production of enteric methane by 15.6 to 31.6%.

Perfil antropométrico de jugadoras de balonmano femenino de élite / Perfil antropométrico de jugadoras de handebol femenino de élite / Anthropometric profile of elite female handball players

Objetivo. Analizar las características antropométricas de 19 jugadoras de un equipo de balonmano sénior de élite. Método. Diecinueve jugadoras (n=19) de balonmano pertenecientes a un equipo de División de Honor sénior formaron parte de este estudio. Se registraron diferentes medidas corporales para estudiar el perfil antropométrico: masa corporal, talla, pliegues cutáneos, perímetros y diámetros corporales, siguiendo el protocolo de la International Society for the Advancements of Kinanthropometry. Se obtuvo la composición corporal y el somatotipo de todas ellas. Resultados. Las jugadoras mostraron un peso medio (63.63kg) menor que el ideal para balonmano y una talla media de 168.2cm, un somatotipo de 3.5, 4.6, 2.3 con dominancia de mesomorfia y un índice de masa corporal dentro del rango normal (22.4kg/m2). Conclusión. Estos resultados proporcionan datos antropométricos normativos para jugadoras de balonmano de élite. El perfil predominante en nuestra muestra fue el endo-mesomórfico con valores medios similares a los reportados para mujeres deportistas de otras disciplinas. Los datos obtenidos indican que nuestra población posee características antropométricas similares a las descritas en otras jugadoras de balonmano, siendo ligeramente inferiores con respecto al peso, la altura y el índice de masa corporal

Objetivo. Analisar as características antropométricas de 19 jogadores de uma equipe de elite de handebol sénior. Método. Dezenove jogadores (n=19) de Handebol pertencentes a uma equipe de divisão senior fizeram parte deste estudo. Foi registrado diferentes medidas corporais para estudar o perfil antropométrico: massa corporal, estatura, dobras cutâneas, perímetros e diâmetros do corpo, seguindo o protocolo International Society for the Advancements of Kinanthropometry. Obteve-se a composição corporal e somatotipo de todos eles. Resultados. Os jogadores mostraram um menor peso médio (63.63kg) ideal para handebol e um tamanho médio de 168.2cm por somatotipo 3.5; 4.6; 2.3 mesomorfia com dominância e índice de massa corporal dentro da faixa normal (22.4kg/m2). Conclusão. Estes resultados fornecem dados antropométricos normativos para jogadores de handebol de elite. O perfil predominante em nossa amostra foi a endo-mesomorfo semelhantes aos relatados para as valores médios mulheres atletas de outras modalidades. Os dados obtidos sugerem que a nossa população possui semelhantes características antropométricaaos descritos em jogadores de handebol, sendo ligeiramente inferior no índice de peso, altura e massa corporal

Objective. To analyze the anthropometric characteristics of 19 female elite handball players from a elite senior team. Method. Nineteen (n=19) elite handball female players belonging to a senior team of Division of Honour participated in this study. Different body measurements were taken to study the anthropometric profile: body mass, skin folds, corporal perimeters and diameters, according to the International Society for the Advancements of Kinanthropometry protocol. Corporal composition and somatotype were obtained in every case. Results. Female players presented a lower average weight (63.63kg) than the ideal, and an average height of 168.2cm, a predominantly endo-mesomorphic somatotype of 3.5; 4.6; 2.3, and a body mass index within the normal range (22.4kg/m2). Conclusions. These results provide normative anthropometric data for elite female handball players. The elite female handball players in our sample were predominantly endo-mesomorphic with mean values similar to those reported for female athletes participating in other sports. Data overall suggest that our sample have comparable anthropometric characteristics compared to other handball players, being slightly lower regarding weight, height and body mass index

Vibrational and electrical properties of Cu2-xTe films: experimental data and first principle calculations.

Vibrational and electrical properties of sputtered films of the copper telluride system are presented. Despite of its technological importance in photovoltaics, the fundamental properties of copper tellurides are poorly understood. Films were deposited at 200 °C by rf sputtering from targets containing mixtures of copper and tellurium powders at nominal concentrations of Cu1.25Te, Cu1.5Te, Cu1.75Te and Cu2Te. Remarkably for the copper telluride system, it was possible to obtain single-phase vulcanite (CuTe) from the Cu1.25Te target. Two-phase mixtures of rickardite (Cu7Te5) and weissite (Cu2-xTe) were achieved for other cases. Raman spectra were obtained using two laser lines: 633 and 488 nm. Density functional theory was employed to calculate the phonon dispersion curves and density of states for vulcanite. The Raman bands were in good correspondence with the calculated frequencies. In general, the Raman spectra consisted of high-intensity totally symmetric modes superimposed on monotonically decaying signals. These were explained in terms of three contributing phenomena: convolution of vibrational normal modes, phonon-coupled charge density fluctuations and time-varying local-field contributions to the electric susceptibility. Studies on the conductivity, mobility and carrier concentration were carried out by the Van der Pauw method. Micro/nano scale surface potential studies were performed through Kelvin probe force microscopy mapping.

Angiotensin receptor blocker vs ACE inhibitor effects on HDL functionality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) reduce cardiovascular events in the general population. Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients are at high cardiovascular risk but few studies have directly addressed the comparative efficacy of these drugs. MHD disrupts the normally atheroprotective actions of high density lipoprotein (HDL), therefore, we compared ACEI or ARB treatment on HDL functions in MHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: HDL was isolated at the starting point (pre) and 3-6 months later (post) in 30 MHD randomly assigned to placebo, ramipril or valsartan. Outcomes included cholesterol efflux, inflammatory cytokine response, effects on Toll-like receptors (TLR), superoxide production, methylarginine and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels. HDL from ARB- or ACEI-treated subjects was more effective in maintaining efflux than HDL of placebo. HDL from ARB- or ACEI-treated subjects but not placebo lessened cellular superoxide production. In contrast, neither ARB nor ACEI improved HDL anti-inflammatory effect. Indeed, HDL of ACEI-treated subjects potentiated the cytokine responses in association with activation of TLR but did not alter the HDL content of methylarginines or SAA. CONCLUSION: Both ACEI and ARB stabilized HDL cholesterol acceptor function and sustained cellular anti-oxidative effects but not anti-inflammatory effects, and ACEI-treatment instead amplified the HDL inflammatory response. The findings reveal possible utility of antagonizing angiotensin actions in MDH and suggest a possible mechanism for superiority of ARB vs ACEI in the setting of advanced kidney disease.

Effects of quebracho tannin extract on intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and methane production in crossbred heifers fed low-quality tropical grass.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of quebracho tannins extract (QTE) on feed intake, dry matter (DM) digestibility, and methane (CH4) emissions in cattle fed low-quality Pennisetum purpureum grass. Five heifers (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) with an average live weight (LW) of 295 ± 19 kg were allotted to five treatments (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% QTE/kg DM) in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Intake, digestibility, and total methane emissions (L/day) were recorded for periods of 23 h when cattle were housed in open-circuit respiration chambers. Dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), and organic matter digestibility (OMD) were different between treatments with 0 and 4% of QTE/kg DM (P < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acid and the molar proportion of acetate in the rumen was not affected (P < 0.05); however, the molar proportion of propionate increased linearly (P < 0.01) for treatments with 3 and 4% QTE. Total CH4 production decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as QTE increased in the diet, particularly with 3 and 4% concentration. When expressed as DMI and OMI by CH4, production (L/kg) was different between treatments with 0 vs 3 and 4% QTE (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the addition of QTE at 2 or 3% of dry matter ration can decrease methane production up to 29 and 41%, respectively, without significantly compromising feed intake and nutrients digestibility.

Effects of feeding ground pods of Enterolobium cyclocarpum Jacq. Griseb on dry matter intake, rumen fermentation, and enteric methane production by Pelibuey sheep fed tropical grass.

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of supplementing ground pods of Enterolobium cyclocarpum in a basal ration of Pennisetum purpureum grass on feed intake, rumen volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and protozoa and methane (CH4) production by hair sheep. Four male sheep (Pelibuey × Katahdin) with a mean live weight of 27.0 kg (SD ± 0.5) were supplemented with 0.00, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.45 kg of dry matter (DM) of E. cyclocarpum pods daily; equivalent to 0.00, 4.35, 8.70, and 13.05 g of crude saponins, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), and molar proportions of propionic acid increased linearly (P < 0.05) as pods of E. cyclocarpum in the ration were increased. Higher intakes of DM and OM were found when lambs were fed 0.45 kg DM per day of E. cyclocarpum, and the highest proportion of propionic acid (0.21 and 0.22, respectively) was obtained with 0.15 and 0.30 kg of DM per lamb of E. cyclocarpum, while apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and molar proportion of acetic acid were reduced (P < 0.05). Rumen CH4 production decreased (P < 0.05) when 0.30 and 0.45 kg of DM/lamb/day of E. cyclocarpum were fed (21.8 and 25.3 L CH4/lamb/day, respectively). These results suggest that to improve the feeding of sheep fed tropical grass, it is advisable to supplement the basal ration with up to 0.30 kg DM of E. cyclocarpum pods.

Energy utilization, nitrogen balance and microbial protein supply in cattle fed Pennisetum purpureum and condensed tannins.

The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of condensed tannins (CT) on feed intake, dry matter digestibility, nitrogen balance, supply of microbial protein to the small intestine and energy utilization in cattle fed a basal ration of Pennisetum purpureum grass. Five heifers (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) with an average live weight of 295 ± 19 kg were allotted to five treatments consisting of increasing levels of CT (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4% CT/kg DM) in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar (p > 0.05) between treatments containing 0, 1, 2 and 3% of CT/kg DM and it was reduced (p < 0.05) to 4% CT (5.71 kg DM/day) with respect to that observed with 0% CT (6.65 kg DM/day). Nitrogen balance, purine derivatives excretion in urine, microbial protein synthesis and efficiency of synthesis of microbial nitrogen in the rumen were not affected (p ≥ 0.05) by the increase in the levels of condensed tannins in the ration. Energy loss as CH4 was on average 2.7% of the gross energy consumed daily. Metabolizable energy intake was 49.06 MJ/day in cattle fed low-quality tropical grass with a DMI of 6.27 kg/day. It is concluded that concentrations of CT between 2 and 3% of DM of ration reduced energy loss as CH4 by 31.3% and 47.6%, respectively, without affecting intakes of dry and organic matter; however, digestibilities of dry and organic matter are negatively affected.

Bio-packaged transponder MEMS implanted in rats.

A novel hydroxyapatite-based hybrid material with controlled porosity was designed as a bio-package to implant micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) in living organisms. The biomaterial was prepared using synthetic stoichiometric hydroxyapatite powder reacted with a chemical-active, solvent-free, alkyd-based polyurethane. This porous material has interconnected pores with sizes between 100 and 350 µm and a pore volume fraction of 50%, fulfilling the requirements for implants. The biomaterial additionally has high wearing resistance and hydrolytic stability providing high endurance properties. The bio-package was characterized mechanically and morphologically using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, densitometry, abrasion and mechanical tests. Twelve packaged micro-electro-mechanical systems were implanted subcutaneously into rats and tested for up to 9 months with good acceptance as revealed by the histological analysis performed on the soft tissue surrounding each implant.

Parasites of cetaceans stranded on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Information regarding parasitic fauna of cetaceans from Costa Rica is provided for the first time. A total of 25 stranded dolphins and whales were examined between 2001 and 2009, including striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) (n=19), pantropical spotted dolphin (S. attenuata) (n=2), spinner dolphin (S. longirostris) (n=1), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) (n=1), dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) (n=1) and Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) (n=1). Pathological findings associated with the parasites are also presented. In the most representative dolphin species, S. coeruleoalba, the prevalence of parasites was 89.5%; moreover, all examined specimens of S. attenuata, S. longirostris, T. truncatus and Z. cavirostris presented parasites. No parasites were recovered from K. sima. Fourteen helminth taxa were identified, including six species of cestodes (Strobilocephalus triangularis, Tetrabothrius forsteri, Trigonocotyle sp., Phyllobothrium delphini, Monorygma grimaldi, Tetraphyllidea gen. sp. plerocercoid), four digeneans (Nasitrema globicephalae, Brachycladium palliatum, B. pacificum and Oschmarinella albamarina) and four nematodes (Anisakis spp., Halocercus lagenorhynchi, Halocercus sp. and Crassicauda anthonyi). A commensal crustacean, Xenobalanus globicipitis, was also identified. All identified parasites representing new geographic records for the Pacific coast of Central America and new host records are presented. Parasitological information is valuable for conservation of cetaceans in Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Chronic hypoxia increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in mouse soleus muscle.

People living at high altitude appear to have lower blood glucose levels and decreased incidence of diabetes. Faster glucose uptake and increased insulin sensitivity are likely explanations for these findings: skeletal muscle is the largest glucose sink in the body, and its adaptation to the hypoxia of altitude may influence glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. This study tested the hypothesis that chronic normobaric hypoxia increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in soleus muscles and decreases plasma glucose levels. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were kept in normoxia [fraction of inspired O2 = 21% (Control)] or normobaric hypoxia [fraction of inspired O2 = 10% (Hypoxia)] for 4 wk. Then blood glucose and insulin levels, in vitro muscle glucose uptake, and indexes of insulin signaling were measured. Chronic hypoxia lowered blood glucose and plasma insulin [glucose: 14.3 ± 0.65 mM in Control vs. 9.9 ± 0.83 mM in Hypoxia (P < 0.001); insulin: 1.2 ± 0.2 ng/ml in Control vs. 0.7 ± 0.1 ng/ml in Hypoxia (P < 0.05)] and increased insulin sensitivity determined by homeostatic model assessment 2 [21.5 ± 3.8 in Control vs. 39.3 ± 5.7 in Hypoxia (P < 0.03)]. There was no significant difference in basal glucose uptake in vitro in soleus muscle (1.59 ± 0.24 and 1.71 ± 0.15 µmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ in Control and Hypoxia, respectively). However, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was 30% higher in the soleus after 4 wk of hypoxia than Control (6.24 ± 0.23 vs. 4.87 ± 0.37 µmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹, P < 0.02). Muscle glycogen content was not significantly different between the two groups. Levels of glucose transporters 4 and 1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, glycogen synthase kinase 3, protein kinase B/Akt, and AMP-activated protein kinase were not affected by chronic hypoxia. Akt phosphorylation following insulin stimulation in soleus muscle was significantly (25%) higher in Hypoxia than Control (P < 0.05). Neither glycogen synthase kinase 3 nor AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation changed after 4 wk of hypoxia. These results demonstrate that the adaptation of skeletal muscles to chronic hypoxia includes increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.

Extension of the neuroprotective time window for thiazolidinediones in ischemic stroke is dependent on time of reperfusion.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability but has limited therapeutic options. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), agonists for the nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, reduce infarct volume and improve neurologic function following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Translation of these findings into clinical therapy will require careful assessment of dosing paradigms and effective time windows for treatment. Understanding the mechanisms by which TZDs protect the brain provides insight into how time windows for neuroprotection might be extended. We find that two TZDs, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, significantly reduce infarct volume at doses similar to those used clinically (1 mg/kg for pioglitazone and 0.1 mg/kg for rosiglitazone). We also find that pioglitazone reduces infarction volume in a transient, but not a permanent MCAO model suggesting that reperfusion plays an important role in TZD mediated neuroprotection. Since PPARγ agonists reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are exacerbated by reperfusion, we hypothesized that TZDs would be most effective if administered prior to reperfusion. We administered TZDs 3 h after MCAO and found that infarction volume and neurologic function are significantly improved in animals reperfused at 3 h and 15 min (after TZD treatment), but not in animals reperfused at 2 h (before TZD treatment) when assessed either 24 h or 3 weeks after MCAO. While TZDs reduce intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) expression to a similar extent regardless of the time of reperfusion, leukocyte entry into brain parenchyma is more dramatically reduced when reperfusion is delayed until after drug treatment. The finding that delaying reperfusion until after TZD treatment is beneficial despite a longer period of ischemia, is dramatic given the widely held view that duration of ischemia is the most important determinate of injury.

First report of Trypanosoma vivax infection in dairy cattle from Costa Rica.

An outbreak of haemoparasitoses occurred from October 2007 to July 2008 in cattle from the district of Rio Cuarto, province of Alajuela, Costa Rica. Fifty animals of various ages out of 450 Brown Swiss were affected. The animals presented fever, severe anemia, jaundice, abortion or premature birth, loss of appetite, decrease milk production and accentuated weight loss in a short period of time. Haemoparasites were observed in the blood smears: Anaplasma marginale was present in 17 animals (60.7%); Trypanosoma vivax in nine (32.1%) and Babesia bovis in two (7.1%). Three of the animals (10.7%) had a mixed infection with T. vivax and A. marginale. After treatment, all the animals were clinically recovered and subsequent blood samplings showed no parasites. Data suggest that the outbreak might be related to a decrease in the availability and quality of the pastures due to very heavy rainfalls during the year 2007, as well as an increase in the abundance of Boophilus microplus and Stomoxys calcitrans. This is the first report of the presence of T. vivax in Costa Rica.

Ritidoplastia con cicatrices cortas: ligamentos de retención y vectores de corrección / Rhytidoplasty with short scars: retention ligaments and correction vectors

Las intervenciones actuales de ritidectomía tienden a emplear abordajes menos extensos, con postoperatorios más sencillos. Los autores exponen las bases anatómicas de las técnicas de suspensión con suturas tractoras que remolcan los tejidos anulando los ligamentos de retención ósteo-músculo- cutáneos. Se analizan y emplean múltiples vectores de corrección (AU)

Actually, lifting procedures tend to be less extensive and with a simpler postoperative course. The authors explain the anatomical basis of suspension techniques that use traction sutures to tow the tissues, by-passing the effect of the osteo-musclecutaneous ligaments. The different correction vectors used are analyzed (AU)